The Lymphedema Association of North America (LANA) strives to “promote standards for management of individuals with lymphedema and/or related disorders, to establish and maintain certification for healthcare professionals who provide such services and to promote lymphedema awareness and the science of lymphology.” They are a non-profit organization comprised of the leading lymphedema treatment specialists. A LANA Certified Lymphedema Therapist, or CLT-LANA, must graduate from an accredited lymphedema therapist program and have over 135 hours of training prior to sitting for the two hour national board exam. Antara Quiñones, DPT, CLT-LANA is currently the only practicing CLT-LANA in the Missoula area.

The North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) is dedicated to the advancement of orthopedic manual physical therapy in the United States. Brent Dodge, PT, OCS, CMPT is recognized as Certified Manual Physical Therapist (CMPT) through NAIOMT. Currently, there are only a handful of physical therapists in the state of Montana who are certified manual physical therapist. This level of certification requires five separate courses, each of which lasts six days. The successful applicant for the CMPT must complete each class and pass a three-hour written examination, an oral practical examination, and three case studies.

Alpine has several board certified physical therapists, including Brent Dodge, Brace Hayden, Mary Mischke, and Matthew Schweitzer who are Orthopedic Certified Specialists. This certification is conferred by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The APTA is the governing body of Physical Therapists in the United States. Physical Therapists can certify in a variety of specialty areas, such as orthopedics, sports, or geriatrics. Applicants must have a minimum of 2,000 hours in the area of their specialty, and they must pass a comprehensive, full-day examination. The Mission of the certifying body “is to improve public health by enhancing clinical excellence in physical therapy practice through credentialing clinical specialists.”

Body Arts and Science International is a certifying agency for Pilates. Teaching professionals in the Pilates method, BASI provides comprehensive teacher training programs with the ultimate goal of conferring Pilates Certification. Samantha Schmidt, PT, CPI attained her certification through Body Arts and Science International and went on to achieve recognition as a Certified Pilates Instructor through the Pilates Method Alliance, which is the only national certification for teachers of the Pilates Method.

The CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist) is a highly respected credential in the professional industry of sports-specific strengthening and sport-fitness. The program began in 1985 as a way to “encourage a higher level of competence among practitioners that raises the quality of strength training and conditioning programs provided by those who are CSCS certified.” Along with completing the examination process, credentialed professionals are required to attend continuing education courses in order to maintain their certification. Brent Dodge, PT, Brace Hayden, DPT, Matthew Schweitzer, DPT, and Jessica Kehoe, DPT are Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Few therapists have sought and achieved advanced certification in the treatment of pelvic physical therapy. The Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic) signifies the attainment by a physical therapist of advanced education and training. The courses, training, testing, along with a compete written case report are required to be certified at this level. Experts who have received the CAPP-Pelvic certification are highly sought after for their skill and ability to effectively treat patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, such as urinary incontinence and pelvic pain. We congratulate Tara Mund, DPT for being the first physical therapist in Montana to achieve the CAPP-Pelvic certification.

Balanced Body is the world’s largest providers of Pilates education and equipment, providing world-class training for Pilates and CoreAlign. Balanced Body is also at the forefront in developing and marketing Pilates equipment and CoreAlign units. Samantha Schmidt, PT, CPI is a Balanced Body University Faculty Member for comprehensive Pilates training and a Master CoreAlign Instructor, training instructors in both methods. In addition, many of our therapists are certified to incorporate Pilates and CoreAlign into patient rehabilitation.

Stott Pilates, a brand of Merrithew Health and Fitness, offers a contemporary approach to the Pilates method and is known in the Pilates industry for their thoroughness and quality. Ana Soulia, DPT, CPI and Jeff Soulia, DPT, CPI are Certified Stott Pilates Rehabilitation Instructors. The rehabilitation certification obtained by Ana and Jeff is specifically designed for licensed health care professionals to integrate the Pilates method into their practice.

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